I got my dog when she was 8 weeks old. One of the first things I did was put a mirror down on the ground. She was startled at first seeing another dog, but within seconds she realized it was her own reflection and she never jumped from it again. About a month later, I saw her using a mirror to see into another room so that she could see what I was doing but also look out a nearby window.
My dog looks into a mirror like she is staring into the abyss. No motion, no emotion, just staring. I know she recognizes herself otherwise she would react differently. My wife is creeped out by it. I'm not. Doggy is just contemplating her existence is all, in that doggy brain of hers.
My dog does that too, only it looks like she is admiring how pretty she is.
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